Medications & Antimicrobials I keep on hand at all times:

  • Electrolyte Solution such as NV Powder, Thrive, Pedialyte, ER Formula - in case of dehydration and/or starvation
  • Trimethoprim/Sulfa - for E.coli, Coccidia, and Salmonella
  • Amoxitex - Broad spectrum anitbiotic to cover a wide range of bacterial infections
  • Medistatin - for Candida (yeast) - not all yeast infections are treated effectively with this product. The medication must make contact with
    the organism to work.
  • Doxycycline or Chlortetracycline - for Ornithosis (Chlamydia), Giardia, and other susceptible organisms
  • Erythromycin - for Campylobacter and other susceptible organisms
  • Ronivet or Ronex - for protozoal infections
  • Worm Away or Worm Out Gel - for worming the birds
  • Iverlux or S76 - Ivermectin in case of air sac mites as well as some worms
  • Scatt - Moxidectin in case of air sac mites
  • Disinfectant and Virucide such as Virkon S, KD Cleanser or Pet Focus

Equipment:

  • Small travel cage or hospital cage
  • Heat Lamp
  • Shallow dishes such as a baby food jar lid or other very shallow dish for food and water

See more about these items in the "Issues" portion of this website...
As a self defense mechanism, birds are able to hide the symptoms of illness until it is nearly too late to
save them.  If they become ill or get injured, it is crucial they get the appropriate treatment right away!  In
an emergency situation, your quick actions could potentially save their life!  
IF YOUR BIRD GETS SICK OR INJURED
If the problem isn't something you know for a fact you can handle yourself, you should contact your Avian veterinarian immediately (see the
Choosing an Avian Vet link for more information).  If you are experienced enough to handle an emergency on your own, you should assess
the situation carefully and take appropriate actions immediately!
WHAT IS CONSIDERED AN EMERGENCY?
Really any injury such as broken appendages, bleeding of any kind, sudden illness, sudden onset of diarrhea, choking sounds coming from
the bird, nasal discharge, egg binding, or anything else that keeps them from bopping around is considered an emergency and requires
immediate attention.  Birds that are just beginning to show their illness may begin to "tail bob", in other words, they have become stressed
enough that they are weak and breathing heavily.  When they sit on the perch, their tail will bob up and down - keep in mind that some birds
have a barely perceptible tail bob as a matter of natural course.  Observing your birds on a regular basis will help you to know the difference
between a sick bob and a healthy one!
Items you will want to keep on hand include:
  • Antibiotic Ointment
  • Alcohol
  • Peroxide
  • Surgical Tape and Gauze (I use florist tape)
  • Coffee Stirrers or very small drinking straws (to use as splints)
  • Band Cutters
  • Eye Droppers
  • Tweezers
  • Saline Solution
  • Blood Stop Powder, Stay, Diatomaceous Earth, or a dish of flour
  • Syringes
  • Antibiotics in varying strengths and for varying purposes
In Case of Emergency: Supplies
Common Injury Situations
Broken leg or wing:

If bones are protruding, you MUST take your bird to an Avian Veterinarian!

As long as no bones are protruding through the skin, broken legs or wings can be managed at home.  For legs, carefully examine the
appendage.  Thoroughly clean it if necessary.  Cut a coffee stirrer to the length of the broken leg, then slit the stirrer up the center so that you
can open it and slip it around the birds leg for support.  This makes a splint, and while the bird will NOT like it, it will keep the appendage safe
until it has a chance to mend.  Keep the bird in a small hospital cage with heat, an electrolyte solution such as Thrive in it's water, and clean
seed.  I do not usually provide perches for a bird with broken legs, but if the bird is able to perch, placing one low in the cage may help them to
feel more secure.  A drinking straw or even aquarium tubing may be used as a splint depending on the size of the bird.

For broken wings, the same applies to examining and cleaning.  I then use the kind of medical tape that sticks to itself without the use of
adhesive to wrap the birds wing close to it's body.  This tape looks much like an "Ace bandage", but is disposable.  Depending on the width,
you may need to cut a long strip and wrap it around the bird.  I always try to bandage the broken close to the birds body, but allow the other
wing (if undamaged) free to flap.  As mentioned above, keep the bird in a small hospital cage with heat, and electrolyte solution, and clean
fresh seed.

If at any time you notice infection, consult your Avian Veterinarian immediately!
Seizures or Stroke:

Occasionally small birds may become frightened enough to cause seizures or stroke.  This is NOT typical, but happens from time to time.  In
the case of seizure or stroke, I ALWAYS remove the bird from the bird room and place it in a VERY quiet spot in my home.  I give it heat and
electrolytes and hope for the best.  

Often times signs of seizure or stroke can include:

  • bird flopping on bottom of cage either on it's belly or back
  • unusual noises - I call this screaming.  It is NOT a pretty sound and nothing like a normal bird!
  • "twirling" or "star gazing" - I have had birds act as if they had the twirling disease (which can be something as simple as an inner ear
    infection, or something much more ominous like neurological damage).
Toe nail or beak cut too short, broken, or bleeding:

Depending on the severity, I may be able to merely apply pressure to a toe nail or beak tip that you've trimmed too short.  You may also use a
coagulation aid such as Diatomaceous Earth, Blood Stop Powder, Stay, or even flour.  If you cannot stop the bleeding, you will need to take
your bird to your Avian Veterinarian who may cauterize the wound.
Cuts & abrasions:

Sometimes our birds will fight with each other, get caught on something in their cage, or pick at themselves until they bleed.  If there are no
broken bones and only skin cuts or abrasions, clean the wound thoroughly then apply and antibiotic ointment.  If the wound is large, use a
straw or coffee stirrer as a splint, or self adhesive bandage as described above to cover the wound.  Clean the wound, apply fresh antibiotic,
and change the dressings daily until it appears to be healing.  As soon as the wound begins to heal, remove the bandages and allow the
wound to get air.  If the bird picks at the wound, re-cover it.

Meadowlark Farms Avian Supply, Inc. 2006-2012 © All rights Reserved.
Having problems viewing this site?  Contact the webmaster and let us know.
Hosting by Yahoo! Web Hosting
Medical Emergencies - Illness
Emergency Supplies for Birds